A nightclub may not reopen after the council was warned that it had fallen into the hands of a “recognised organised crime group”.
Bling Night Club, in Church Street, Luton, was closed on October 21 after Beds Police submitted an application to Luton Borough Council asking for a licence review.
In a letter sent to LBC Superintendent David Boyle warned that owner Deborah Jefferies has “lost control” of the premises due to financial mismanagement and she has since “involved members of a recognised organised crime group to be involved in the management”.
He added: “Police seek a suspension of the licence in order for a full investigation and the review of the suitability of the club to continue with a licence”.
Due to the severity of the allegations Supt Boyle urged the matter to be put in front of LBC’s licensing committee urgently and the panel agreed to an interim suspension of the club’s licence the same day.
In making its decision the panel noted its “concern” that over the weekend of October 25 and 26 Bling Night Club had been booked by two promoters “closely connected” to “gangs in London” and “guns and weapons”.
Both are also currently on bail facing charges for drug trafficking and for money laundering under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
A letter from LBC’s senior solicitor Clive Tobin advised Deborah Jefferies of the panel’s concerns.
The letter read: “It is known that one of the promoters is a potential target for rival gangs and may attract violent reprisals if it known that he is in Luton, therefore he is at risk as are staff and customers of the premises and the public in general.”
A full review of Bling Night Club’s licence will take place at the Town Hall on Monday.